Chapter 10

In life, there are things that we regret doing; we regret that one relationship we started then cut off because of a number of reasons as to why it wouldn't last, we regret not doing that one thing that could have made us happier in the end of our life, we regret not saying 'I love you' sooner then later to someone we have in our life. Then there are things we regret without thinking about them and when we do think about them about them; they turn out to be something we wish that we hadn't. Adding to the regret. Sephiroth was feeling that way as he lay on the floor of his office; silver hair splayed out around him as if he was sleeping in his own silver stream of silver colored salmon that was made of his own hair. That river was joining with the red sea, vibrant and loud, but it balanced out the silver stream; it was quiet much like the silver stream as if it had seemed to been subdued. He couldn't bring himself to look over at the subdued face of Genesis that had a soft, content smile pulled across his lips; he had gotten what he had been scheming to get, but, at what price? At first, Sephiroth seemed to fight him off, but as it continued, the man, the proud General had caved into to his own bodies' desire for Genesis and the mere touches the man had caressed him with. He had fought the man's want to enter into him, but after a time, he had succumbed to that as well and fallen into a heavy pattern and easy, steady, set rhythm of Genesis doing what he was doing. A blush crossed his face as he remembered how he had begged for the man to just release already, how his voice had sounded like a whiny little boy that wanted the new toy. Even the smug, happy grin that had been on Genesis' face when he finally allowed and the way he looked when he heard Sephiroth's voice crack as he became one with Genesis. Genesis' fingers were slowly, in his sleep, tracing against his chest as he felt Genesis' chest rising and falling against his own. It would be horrible to wake the man so that they could heal one another and get on with their day, but Genesis seemed too content, peaceful, and happy. Making him move now was going to ruin the man's dream come true.

"…Genesis, its morning already…"Sephiroth softly nudged the sleeping man which was met by Genesis' arms tightening around his waist which caused Sephiroth's eyes to roll back in his head momentarily, "Genesis, I'm sure you've got to get to your Intern Student…"

Genesis started to mutter in his sleep, "I filled out his paper and gave him the rest of the time off…the Higher Ups know my word is golden…" he nuzzled back in against Sephiroth's chest, "Besides…I'm enjoying this after glow bliss between us…"

"Heh…"Sephiroth sighed to himself as he ran a hand down his face to be met by the sound of the clinking of metal; the chain between a pair of fuzzy handcuffs that was followed by one of Genesis' hands brushing his face with one of his own, I don't even want to know what in the wide world of Gaia happened last night…

Genesis could care less about discretion or the feeling of uneasiness the man must have been feeling at the moment; all he wanted to feel was close with Sephiroth, too long had been away from the man. Too long had he been admiring and taunting from a distance, but after what he had heard fall from Sephiroth's lips during their passionate night, he would forever cherish. Sephiroth had fought him at every turn, but when ultimate submission was demanded of him with threats of telling ShinRa that their prized little stud and world Hero was into entering through more then one kind of back door. Sephiroth had at first thought the man was bluffing and just talking through his teeth, but when Genesis had stilled at one point during their night, whispering into his ear that he had them all but eating out of his hand. They would bend over backwards for this auburn little weasel to believe him and do anything and everything to make him happy. Even if it meant ruining someone else's sensibilities. He had given the impression that he was still asleep, but he was feigning sleep as he traced, in his feigned state, on Sephiroth's chest differing patterns. While all the while admiring each and every mark he had left on the General's once clean chest; he allowed himself a mental chuckle. Try explaining why you're wearing a t-shirt under your stomach guard under your leather battle jacket when the temperature had to be blistering in Midgar. As much as he hoped he could keep the snickers in his mind, they managed to find their way out his lips and to Sephiroth's ears.

"What are you chuckling about, laughing boy?" Sephiroth quirked an eyebrow up as he glanced down at the open eyes of Genesis, "Get your laughs in because this will be the last time I ever bow to you…persuasion or not…"

The General began to blush as he started to faintly limp up onto his feet, "I've still got my Intern to handle…just because you brushed yours off as nothing, some of us still stick to protocol…"

Genesis sighed as he began to gather his clothes about him and about his figure as he began to redress, "…I have a simple question for you, oh great General…" the man watched Sephiroth fishing about in his desk for something to help the healing process while the Mako began its steady start of healing, "…Do you love me?"

Talk about your loaded questions; Sephiroth had for the life of him never deemed himself to take a liking to anyone, male or female; he regarded Genesis as simply a friend much like he had regarded Angeal a friend. But before he had befriended the two country boys, Genesis and Angeal; he had all but assumed that since they were childhood friends that the two men were possibly more then just friends. That was soon done away with when Sephiroth had come upon Angeal's journal after a meeting one day a few months back. He had all but written poetry about the raven haired little scamp that was his own Intern and was slowly turning into love interest. He had planned to approach Genesis with the words, but when Genesis had begun his own devious little cat and mouse game much like Angeal's poetry about the Puppy at his side. Signs of what Genesis was trying to get at were becoming clearer and clearer, but he had opted to forget about them. Brushing them off as paranoia and annoyance. But after what he had experienced with Genesis, maybe…it could be…

"Sephiroth?" the General was still standing near his desk, hand on the drawer and clad only in a pair of leather pants, "You okay?"

What did it mean to fell okay, especially now that he was facing the reality of the situation; Genesis was waiting like a scared little child for an answer as to whether or not Mommy or Daddy is going to be okay. Reality and truth hurt…damn you both.

There seemed to be no voice to the answer, just a simple movement of lips and body as Sephiroth gripped tight on Genesis' upper arms as he all but threw the man in against the wall. Tears streaming down his face as he tried to grasp onto the reality of the situation, but even if Genesis wanted a more verbal answer; he couldn't take Sephiroth like this. Things had changed too much in him during his time away from Sephiroth and the ShinRa building; just a few days before he had returned and had taken hold of the liquid that made Sephiroth his. He had noticed it coming out of his back; he had thought it was merely an illusion, but when he had seen it move and flutter, even him shuttering at the feeling of touching the downy feathers himself. It had come to the surface. He was the monster ShinRa had made him out to be, Sephiroth could never accept him like this now, even now as it unfurled itself from against the wall.

"G-Genesis?" Sephiroth was frightened at the sight, "W-Wha…What happened to you? Why do you have that wing on your back?"

Genesis' face broke into a faint cat like smirk as he patted the man's cheeks as he took his leave, "…The monster is taking his leave…while another will soon fall into steps with this monster…will you…my love?" with a soft brush of lips against Sephiroth's cheek, Genesis left.

Monster…what do you mean…who is the other monster?"

"GENESIS!" Sephiroth's voice was covered by the sound of morning alarm bell as the Cadets began to rouse in their own bunks while the rest of the ShinRa Building and the outside world of Midgar and Edge began to begin the dance of life.

Zack stretched his hands over his head as his face scrunched up at the feeling of the sun streaming through unfamiliar blinds and waking up in an unfamiliar bed, "…Did I sleepwalk again?"

"Come on, Pup, time to get to work, Lazard has a mission for us that'll be a quickie out in Wutai to check in on something that's been going on and then we've got Training in the Virtual Training Room…You still aren't able to keep up with me and with the rumored mission coming up…you're going to need to pick it up on the typical and practical skills," Angeal called out from down the hall as he poked his head in, "And before you ask if we did it, fat chance, Pup…"

Angeal chuckled as he heard a woeful whine come from the Guest bedroom he had placed the teen into; after the Interns had been sent off to their various Mentors, Reno had prompted the suggestion they go grab a drink. What should have been just a drink amongst friends turned into a night of trying to pry Reno off every guy he saw through the beer tinted glasses that were muddling his vision. If they weren't vigilant with watching the wild Turk that was more then tipsy; he would be finding himself possibly locked up in some sexual deviant's basement in some kind of gimp outfit and tied up in a bondage set up. They would never be forgiven by the Turk if they ever allowed something like that happen, but it seemed, while they had their attention diverted by the bartender to pay their tab. The mission 'Keep Reno Straight' became an utter failure the moment they spot him necking a little blond in the back of the bar. If they hadn't gone to investigate; they would've almost mistaken the mewling blond for a normal hair styled Cloud. But from the ring on the young man's hand that was being clenched hard each time Reno got a little more then feisty with the boy; they could tell he wasn't a civilian and certainly wasn't Cloud. Old man Shinra may at the moment may be "happily" married to his wife, but it seemed that there wouldn't be any Shinra heirs if the young man and a drunken Reno had anything to say about it. Zack simply shook his head at his friend as Angeal escorted the young man back to the ShinRa building, but only after Zack had started to feel the effects of the alcohol they had downed together taking its effects on him. A half drunken Zack wasn't as fun as a sober one and Angeal wasn't one to take advantage of a drunken Zack; it was beneath him. Zack wouldn't have minded, at least they would get to go beyond the simple make out sessions in the darkened corridors of the ShinRa building to the simple dirty text messages.

"Angeal, can we just take a sick day today…and go kick Reno's ass for daring me into drinking those shooters last night?" Zack groaned out from the bedroom as he ground the heels of his palms into eyes, "I don't feel too good…"

"If this is a ploy to get me in there to give you what you were hoping we had, you're dead wrong, Pup, come on…" Angeal walked in as he saw that the young Pup wasn't kidding; the poor kid was green around the gills, "…Heh, I'll call in a few favors and a hangover potion…"

Zack groaned from the pulled over his head covers, "…Thank you, Angeal…"

Reno came staggering into work with a pair of sunglasses he had borrowed from his partner in crime when it came to Turk missions to hide his eyes; they were blood shot and wasn't going to go over well with Tseng. Tseng would ride this horse up and down the block and over his backside several times over if he ever was to find out that he had spent his night drunk off something powerful in the shooters. Then waking up finding and remembering he had spooned the President's son that night with a few or so dozen hickies around his neck and a rather bruised lower half. President Shinra didn't bear kids that weren't capable of fighting back, or in Reno's case, shoveling it out to rude mouthed red heads, but the kid had all but apologized all over the place for bruising him that hard. Reno would've gotten a double helping for what he had slipped up and said what was on his mind, but he had promised the blond haired delicate angel that he would go to the Infirmary to get checked out should he start having problems. Kid didn't deserve a Dad figure like the President, but at the moment, he had to focus on getting pass his fellow Turks, as well as Tseng, with blood shot eyes and a ringing hangover headache.

Nice wish that was.

"Morning Reno," the cheerful sound of a young woman, and probably the only assumed female Turk of the Turks, Cissnei, remarked as she saw the man in passing, but her voice only seemed to make Reno clutch his head, "You okay? You look like you're in pain…"

Thanks a lot Captain Obvious.

Reno grinned up a false smile as he waved it off, "Just had a rough night…"

"Rough night of sex with the President's son, Reno?" Cissnei seemed to beam like a Cheshire cat as she watched the man flinch, "What are you thinking?! Sleeping with the Boss' kid?! Are you looking to get fired or at best, having to explain yourself to the President?!"

Reno wasn't in the mood or in a mood to gently put it, but this was Cissnei he was talking about; the woman could land him face down on the ground before he could blink if he thought of telling her off, "…The poor kid just wants a companion…I give him that much…and if we do, do anything besides talk, then that's not my problem."

"It'll be your problem should the President ever catch wind of it, Reno," that voice sounded too familiar and for once he was wishing he had his head buried under paperwork while napping off his hangover headache, "You. Me. My office. Now."

Things just can't get any worse then this…

"What were you thinking?!" Tseng slammed his office door as he watched Reno nearly fall onto his knees, clenching his head, "The President's Son, Reno? Rufus Matthew Shinra?! Are you even thinking? The President assumes his son will find some woman when he's old enough to marry and bear an heir to the Shinra name…"

Tseng was furious; he was more then furious, he was outraged, but it wasn't because he had received a call from the President early that morning, screaming in his ear that he had found his son lying in bed. Unable to hardly move without the use of someone giving him some kind of Healing Materia over where he was hurting, even voicing his disgust that his personal physician had told him his son was torn. Torn in his backside as if someone had slammed something up inside his son's body, but after his son had managed to get his Father's attention; the boy had told his Father what had happened. Reno was looking at more then just being fired; he was looking at castration at the hands of his Boss' Boss. Things had been made worse when he had received second hand reports regarding a mission that was in the works to send a team to Niblehiem to look into the Mako Reactor there. It had seemed that someone was playing around with things around the area and it was going to be sending a team up there to check on things. Even throwing the idea of sending a couple of the best Cadets along with at least one SOLDIER; so why should that news enrage Tseng as much as it did?

Cloud's name was being considered for one of the Cadets to be sent and as for the SOLDIER, Zack Fair was being considered; Angeal had no clue that this was happening and neither did Zack. Tseng was enraged at the fact that they were sending the young man Cloud out into the field. He withheld all emotions regarding the proposition of Cloud being sent into a position like that to himself.

Reno managed to stand up as the ringing settled to a dull roar, "I don't know what I was thinking, okay, that answer your question? It's just…It's just that…" the man flopped down into a chair in front of Tseng's desk as the man began to drum a familiar Wutai tune against the arm of his own chair, "…Everyone's hooking with everyone else and this Turk just wants something…And I didn't intentionally go after the President's kid…alright? If I didn't save his scrawny little butt from the perverts drooling over him, he wouldn't be at home right now."

"…I was out last night with Fair and Hewley, we were having a few drinks and I was just starting to get my buzz when I got a glance over at a group of men closing in on this little blond. I thought, 'If that's Cloud, these jackasses are in for some serious trouble'…I knocked a few off, even sent one flying into a wall," Reno sighed as he ran a hand down his face as he pulled the sunglasses off his face, revealing the black eye he had gained from one of the thugs, "…I got this shiner from one of the gorillas but when I whipped out my EMR, they managed to back off."

Tseng listened to the story as he gave no intention of interrupting, "I decided to sit with the kid and then the next thing I know…I'm all over this kid, unable to control myself and…I'm sure you can imagine what happened next."

"Heh…Is that all?" Tseng inquired as he watched Reno change position, "Anything else I should know before I make my report to the President?"

Reno shook his head negatively, "No sir…"

"…You're dismissed…and I apologize for snapping earlier," Tseng began to rub his temples as he tried to let the information he knew settle; he had to talk to Cloud soon, he had to find some way to get the boy out of the upcoming mission, "I'm just stressed with the news I heard about what the President wants for a group to do in the small mountain town of Niblehiem…"

"Well, good luck with that sir, this Turk is going to go take something for the hangover and try to do some work," Reno saluted Tseng as he left the office, "I'm here for you if you need someone to talk to, Boss."

Cloud sat in class, bored out of his mind over the same old dribble and lessons; it was Review Week in classes because Finals were coming up, Finals and the grades from Finals determined whether you went up or down in Grade Rank. Grade Rank defined the privileges you were privy to while in the Academy and it gave you a one up over the others when it came to getting closer to your dreams. He knew everything that the Teachers were talking about and had all but aced all the Practice Tests. Why did he have to sit in class still? Daydreaming had become something he hadn't done since realizing what his dreams he had been having meant, but now and again, he would allow himself a little time to dream about Tseng. Even now and again, he would text the man. Tonight was their first official date and he was counting the hours, but even as it was drawing closer; he was getting nervous. When he had been in Elementary School back home, the Teachers had thought it would be cute to have a kind of a little kids Prom for the kids; his Mom had all but cried when she saw him dressed up for it. She had shared her tears with his childhood friend, Tifa's mom; they were gushing and blushing over how cute their children looked together. That's when planning for a future wedding for them started, but as the two had grown up together, the two kids had come to the conclusion that all they would ever be was friends. He had been nervous then and even now he was nervous. Would they have to kiss good night? Would he want to go all the way tonight? So many questions, so little time. Both were new to the idea of relationship between two men, but their feelings were mutual; neither one was going to force the other into something the other didn't want.

"Alright, you're all dismissed, but I want you all to keep studying hard and good luck to you all," the Teacher called out as the students got up to head off to their own things, "Strife, can I see you for a second?"

Cloud knew there was nothing to fear, but being called out by the Teacher was usually something of embarrassment and worry to him, "Yes sir?"

"I've heard a rumor that you're going to be heading out on a special Mission with the General himself and a fellow Cadet as well as SOLDIER 1st Class Zack Fair…I don't know if its true yet, but, I wish you luck on your Mission, Cadet…"the Teacher's face beamed with a proud look; a look that he had hoped to see on his Father's face if he had ever known his face.

"T-Thank you, sir…"

Reno had managed to make it to the classroom just as the last students were leaving, "Hey Spiky, come on, you and I have a meeting with the Lunch Hall…you're buying this time," the red head half heartedly chuckled as he ducked his head away from the luminous lights.

"Excuse me, sir," Cloud saluted his Teacher as he chased out after Reno, muttering to him about how it was Reno's turn to buy; he had bought the last half a dozen times.

Zack groaned as he rolled over on his side; his sense of smell falling on the scent of breakfast under his nose which turned his stomach, but a familiar touch was brushing through his spiky locks. Forget the scent of breakfast or even its taste; he wanted to eat up that smell coming from the familiar touch brushing against his head. He continued to lift his head up till he felt familiar lips brushing against his with a familiar chuckle as familiar lips locked with familiar pressure. Breakfast could wait, Angeal couldn't. Familiar lips began to move down along a familiar neck line as they brushed, licked, and nipped at familiar points that began to create familiar sounds from the teen that the lips were teasing. Heaviness could felt pushing against familiar places as Zack began to heavily groan, moaning and gasping as he felt familiar fingers brushing near places he had never felt them near before. Angeal's chuckles began to grow as he nip against Zack's lower lip, suckling on it while he heard whimpering, pleading words coming from his young lover's lips. Pleading for everything his body was feeling to not be a dream. Don't let it all be a dream. Let there be some reality to all of these feelings.

"…This isn't a dream, Pup…"Zack's body arched up as he felt an unfamiliar sensation that uttered out screams that were stifled by Angeal's lips crushed hard against his lips.

It wasn't a dream. It was happening, everything was Angeal, every movement, every push, every shift, each time one pleasurable spot was hit; it was all Angeal and it was all Angeal when the dream seemed to come to an end. But the dream didn't end the moment it was over. Warmth he had felt was still there. Angeal was here, he was really here. Every waking dream he had had about doing what he had dreamed about with Angeal, it had been answered. Zack's soft happy tears rolled down his face as they were wiped away with the back of Angeal's hand; he would do anything to make his Puppy happy. Nothing could change how he felt for the young man. Nothing could take him from him. At least, that's what he hoped and prayed for; he had received word from Lazard what replacement mission would be used for replacing their mission to Wutai. Zack was going to be gone with Sephiroth and Cloud and another Cadet to Cloud's hometown; he wouldn't be able to go with the Pup. Just the mere thought of having to be away from the boy tore at his heart, but he couldn't let Zack know about it, not yet.

Let me rest in this happiness…just for a little while longer…

"So tell me, what was it like being an Intern for Genesis?" Reno mumbled from under crossed arms, "Was he a prick?"

Cloud all but choked on his food, "N-No…he was kind of an interesting guy, but things got weird after a time, the General didn't start to look too good after he took a sip of the Coffee, Genesis asked me to make," he had all but beaten himself up for the General's demeanor once he and the other Intern had been dismissed.

Reno chuckled from under his arms, "Don't worry about General Sephiroth, the Labs probably gave him a bad dose of Mako and having coffee must have activated the bad end of it; he's a tough guy, he probably toughed it out."

"But enough about that, what do you and my Boss have planned for your little special get together tonight since it is your first date with my Boss?"

"…How do you even know that he and I are going out tonight?" Cloud blushed as he started to play with his lunch.

Reno peeked up at his friend, "Word gets around Spiky…kind of like it seems that word about what I did last night after I split from Zack and Angeal gets around, especially to the President."

"What did you do?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Oh come on! It can't be that bad!"

Reno began to growl under his breath; he couldn't tell Cloud that he had banged the President's kid the night before because in his drunken stupor, he had made believe that Rufus was Cloud. He had soft spot for the kid, but there were times he had had wished that Cloud had fallen for him, but once the drunken stupor had worn off, halfway through his "fun" with Rufus. He had seen Rufus for Rufus. Rufus couldn't replace Cloud; Rufus needed someone like Cloud needed someone. Tseng was that strong walled man that Cloud needed to be protected against the perverts in this Building and Rufus needed someone that was on the inside. Someone who could be trusted to not betray his trust, or tell anyone that he was with the Turk; he couldn't tell Cloud.

"Sorry Cloud, promised someone I wouldn't talk about what I did last night…"Reno blew air out through his lips as he played with the roll on Cloud's plate, "…Special person doesn't want their identity revealed and I don't break promises to people."

Cloud shrugged, "Its cool."

Sephiroth had been at a loss for everything since Genesis had left his office that morning; he had all but destroyed his office in anger over Genesis leaving him. He had wanted to answer Genesis' question, but the man had turned on him and walked away, talking about himself as if he was a horrific being. What did he mean about monsters and would he fall in line like him? Was he a monster too? No, he couldn't be. He knew that the Scientists were messing with his DNA but, could they be making him into a monster? No! He couldn't!

"General Sephiroth?" Lazard jumped back as he saw the man's elongated sword being swung in his general direction, "I apologize for scaring you, sir, but…I was hoping that we could talk about the Mission I've assigned you to in regards to Wutai before you're sent to Niblehiem."

Sephiroth sighed as he sheathed Masamune, "No offense is taken…let's talk."

It had seemed like hours had passed after Lazard had given the run down regarding what he was to do in Wutai and what was to be expected of him in his report upon his return from Wutai. A run down was given about his mission to Niblehiem, the one thing was questionable about this Mission was the Reactor. Word had come that it was the place where Jenova, the calamity that had attempted to destroy the Planet many years ago, was stored. Lazard knew that in a way, her cells had been what created Sephiroth within the womb of a female scientist that was unknown of in regards to her whereabouts. Reports had been coming from the Reactor stating that mild activity had been happening, but it was feared, by Lazard, that Jenova may have becoming active which could pose a threat for Sephiroth. If he was to become overpowered or taken by her powers; he could all but destroy the surrounding area and those in it. This posed a threat for those that would be in attendance of this Mission.

"Do you have any questions, General?" Lazard leaned back in his chair as he studied Sephiroth's face.

"No…I shall take my leave and will be back before the fall of night," Sephiroth bowed out to Lazard as he left to leave for Wutai, You may assume you're a monster, Genesis…but I…I shall never be a monster…